tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post7739555556162857889..comments2017-11-15T23:19:14.061-08:00Comments on Avoiding the stairs.: How WE ALL ruined book reviews.JD Maderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-91349538330348217482014-10-10T14:32:59.489-07:002014-10-10T14:32:59.489-07:00Well said, my friend. I&#39;ve been enjoying the r...Well said, my friend. I&#39;ve been enjoying the responses here and on FB. It seems everyone wants to do away with the stars. :)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-43854710358642338422014-10-10T14:31:10.793-07:002014-10-10T14:31:10.793-07:00Thank YOU. The more I think about this, the more I...Thank YOU. The more I think about this, the more I think the problem lies squarely with the stars. Because you&#39;re right, a review that explains one&#39;s opinion can be very valuable. <br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-30185227760328526522014-10-10T14:28:45.792-07:002014-10-10T14:28:45.792-07:00Now, THAT is a damn interesting idea, Ellys. I nev...Now, THAT is a damn interesting idea, Ellys. I never thought of that. It makes a lot of sense, though. 5 stars to cover everything from character development to plot to narrative consistency to personal taste is a ridiculous concept, but I can see how your system might work really well. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts. JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-64401128852537191272014-10-10T13:02:16.547-07:002014-10-10T13:02:16.547-07:00Great post, and so true. I have long been a propon...Great post, and so true. I have long been a proponent of doing away with the star rating system and using text only. And, I think we should require real names on reviews. I compare book reviews to what else I have. In my iTunes list, of more than 9,000 songs, about 7% of those are rated a 5. In my movie list it&#39;s barely 6%. <br /><br />Admittedly, I&#39;m a little tough, but how can some of these reviewers give 5 stars to about 90% of the books they review? Doesn&#39;t hold water for me. Giacomo Giammatteohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02788973149082963026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-68758998518469062362014-10-10T12:16:57.632-07:002014-10-10T12:16:57.632-07:00I completely agree: &quot;The actual text of the r...I completely agree: &quot;The actual text of the review is important and often neglected.&quot; I would also say that the star rating, as it stands, is very misleading and subjective. As a reader I pay much more attention to the text of a review. When a one star review rants about too much swearing, or is upset that one of the characters is gay or dies or behaves badly-- it means nothing to me. When a one star rants about the book needing a good editor--or has huge plot holes or flat characters--THAT means something. As a writer (The Performance, by Ellys Phox) I probably don&#39;t deserve the five stars I have gotten either, but at least they include things like &quot;good writing, believable characters, engaging plot without holes, clean and well edited&quot; That is what I want to hear as a writer.<br />What I would love to see is a rating system that included a star rating in each of the following: Subject matter, Writing style, Character development, Plot/purpose cohesion, Overall enjoyment, Recommendation. I would love to see Amazon create a rating format where these, or something similar, were included and averaged to reach the rating.Ellys Phoxhttp://www.ellysphox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-85166423369435709552014-10-10T11:56:21.076-07:002014-10-10T11:56:21.076-07:00Great post!
I agree in theory, but the fact is t...Great post! <br /><br />I agree in theory, but the fact is that a review represents one person&#39;s opinion, not the opinion of society in general or book critics or anyone else. <br /><br />That means that what is a five star novel for one is a one star for another. Look up To Kill a Mockingbird, The Grapes of Wrath or a variety of other classics - almost all of them have some 1 star reviews. <br /><br />Does that mean that they stink? Of course not, it just means that some people didn&#39;t find them as enjoyable as others did. <br /><br />The same can be said for any art form - movies are a perfect example. The critics often pan summer blockbuster movies, yet millions of people go and see them, while films the critics love often get far smaller audiences. It doesn&#39;t mean that either film is good or bad, just that they reach different audiences. <br /><br />I think book reviews (heck any reviews) have value - they show what people who read that genre think of a particular book. Not everyone is going to like Twilight, but those who do love it. I didn&#39;t care for it, but I doubt too many people who loved Twilight would enjoy The Hunt for Red October as much as I did. <br /><br />I guess what I&#39;m trying to say is different strokes for different folks...still, this is very thought-provoking, so thank you. Jamie Friesenhttp://www.jamiefriesen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-71165479405956798822014-10-10T08:35:46.101-07:002014-10-10T08:35:46.101-07:00True, Lou. The actual text of the review is import...True, Lou. The actual text of the review is important and often neglected. Which is a shame, because it is far more important than a star system everyone uses differently. <br /><br />Clockwork Orange is a kick ass book, too. ;)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-89767843196401199342014-10-10T02:48:53.467-07:002014-10-10T02:48:53.467-07:00Thanks JD, I don&#39;t think we need everyone to f...Thanks JD, I don&#39;t think we need everyone to follow it. I just think we need people to be consistent in their grading system, root out obvious fraud (both the paid 5 star and the revenge 1 star), and write meaningful reviews. I may think Clockwork Orange was the best book ever written for it&#39;s use of made up language and complex story, but someone else may give it a one star because of the rape and violence. The review part allows us to impart our reasons.<br />LouLouis Lamoureuxhttp://facebook.com/u94llamourenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-56700415673005094062014-10-09T22:05:02.607-07:002014-10-09T22:05:02.607-07:00Yes....too may books to read and very little time....Yes....too may books to read and very little time. It is tough to decide which is the best. Shirishhttp://www.amazon.in/The-Noble-Terror-Shirish-Jugare-ebook/dp/B00IHJ2MZ2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-60036081371435773692014-10-09T19:51:58.219-07:002014-10-09T19:51:58.219-07:00I like touchy subjects. ;)I like touchy subjects. ;)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-57659258374033356172014-10-09T19:18:37.008-07:002014-10-09T19:18:37.008-07:00That&#39;s a pretty logical breakdown. I like it. ...That&#39;s a pretty logical breakdown. I like it. The problem is getting everyone to follow it. ;)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-58056334258974453842014-10-09T19:16:34.447-07:002014-10-09T19:16:34.447-07:00lollolJD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-52519068785762655992014-10-09T18:51:41.898-07:002014-10-09T18:51:41.898-07:00I like that idea!I like that idea!Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03159830920803677451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-55139763355725595222014-10-09T18:44:58.867-07:002014-10-09T18:44:58.867-07:00I have a slightly different perspective, to me, a ...I have a slightly different perspective, to me, a star is twenty percent, so if I give something five stars, that&#39;s 80 to 100. A good indie book can be 80% and get the same 5 stars as a classic like Clockwork Orange. A 3 (being in the middle) I reserve for average. If I give out 1 or 2, that author eff&#39;d up, either poor editing, bad cover, bad story, etc. Louis Lamoureuxhttp://facebook.com/u94llamourenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-85591445805547252972014-10-09T17:30:55.927-07:002014-10-09T17:30:55.927-07:00As a reader, I want to give rave reviews to books ...As a reader, I want to give rave reviews to books I loved and hesitate to leave a bad review if I didn&#39;t like it. As a writer, I want to scream JUST GIVE ME MY DAMN 5 STARS! LOL. Just kidding.... (not really). yeah, kidding. (maybe)Julie Fraynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13779352030642585498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-6195137264669701832014-10-09T17:24:29.104-07:002014-10-09T17:24:29.104-07:00Maybe the books that I love are not the classics b...Maybe the books that I love are not the classics but they are good in my opinion. <br /><br />The star thing is pretty bent. I am surely guilty of contributing to that farce that is the Amazon reviewing system. It&#39;s a mess but with that being said it is subjective. We like what we like. We support who we chose to support. When you go running around bragging how you have just written a book worthy of 5 stars I can bet there will be plenty of haters out there who don&#39;t agree. Such a touchy subject. Brenda Perlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13082490921735156699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-58158888493278818662014-10-09T16:47:24.420-07:002014-10-09T16:47:24.420-07:00I totally agree. We are past the point of no retur...I totally agree. We are past the point of no return, no doubt. And I appreciate the kind words. :)<br /><br />The question in my mind now is this. Is there a better system, or would any system be doomed due to capriciousness and humanity. I&#39;m stoked on all the differing opinions and angles here and on FB! JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-44096013751637417682014-10-09T16:32:35.178-07:002014-10-09T16:32:35.178-07:00I agree in principle, Dan. But I think we&#39;ve g...I agree in principle, Dan. But I think we&#39;ve gone past the point of no return. Readers and writers alike view the rating system differently than professional critics. They see the way reviews have been rated recently, have come to accept the current state of affairs and judge reviews accordingly. I actually DID love your books - at least the three I&#39;ve read - and rated them with five stars because if I didn&#39;t readers searching for their next book might pass them by as second class. They&#39;re not. So when I review I rate according the what I perceive the understanding of the reader is with regard to that system. I wish it were not so, but at the same time I feel like we&#39;re stuck with it, at least for the time being. Yvonne Hertzbergerhttp://newfantasyauthor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-62109609276634807692014-10-09T16:31:38.797-07:002014-10-09T16:31:38.797-07:00I know you don&#39;t. ;)I know you don&#39;t. ;)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-15927446345155892102014-10-09T16:23:47.109-07:002014-10-09T16:23:47.109-07:00don&#39;t worry - I never just agree for the sake ...don&#39;t worry - I never just agree for the sake of agreeing... :DJulie Fraynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13779352030642585498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-50265796661521141872014-10-09T16:17:28.290-07:002014-10-09T16:17:28.290-07:00Another excellent point. I was a teacher for ten y...Another excellent point. I was a teacher for ten years, and I know VERY well how futile any kind of universal grading system is. Thanks, Amanda. :)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-85938513068471766082014-10-09T16:15:10.867-07:002014-10-09T16:15:10.867-07:00Anytime society makes up a marking system to grade...Anytime society makes up a marking system to grade something, be it a book, or your performance review, it is going to be bias. Granted, as writers, we all think our own work is crap-- that&#39;s not uncommon at all. But to say that people shouldn&#39;t give you a 5 star is a bit extreme. Many people want to see you succeed, and perhaps they are giving you a 5 star because their boss didn&#39;t. A 5 star review to an employee means a raise. Anything less could possibly not give them one. So given that, I believe some 5 stars are beautiful tokens of love. They only get cheapened when unsavory people cheat and buy their way into things. An example? You can buy your way onto the NY Times Bestseller list. So if people have done this, I personally believe they are the ones cheapening the system-- not the people that really liked your book. Just my opinion. Perhaps I&#39;m a little bias myself because I&#39;ve given many, many famous, and not so famous, authors 5 stars if the book is beautifully written. Amanda Kimberley Linstruth-Beckomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00067650818095930791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-69415958148930401822014-10-09T15:37:50.980-07:002014-10-09T15:37:50.980-07:00That&#39;s more than just two cents, G. And I have...That&#39;s more than just two cents, G. And I have mixed feelings about it, too. It&#39;s a tough thing to negotiate. The biggest problem is that we all view the system (and what it&#39; supposed to do) differently. <br /><br />Bottom line, I want people to think about all this, not agree with me. ;)JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-5082089425062485332014-10-09T15:28:17.772-07:002014-10-09T15:28:17.772-07:00I have mixed feelings on this. I agree that most f...I have mixed feelings on this. I agree that most five star reviews aren&#39;t necessarily deserved. Having said that, I don&#39;t think a star should be given based on whether or not the writing matches up with Steinbeck (old guy) or Shakespeare (really old, dead guy that I canNOT stand to read). Not even Stephen King (whose stories I do not enjoy, with a very few exceptions - people who walk into paintings, not for me). It should be based on how much the reader enjoyed the book, connected to the characters. I&#39;ve read 2 (soon to be 3) of Laurie&#39;s books. I gave them 5 stars. Because I LOVED them. Kept reading when I should have been writing or doing laundry or sleeping because I wanted to be part of the story. That is five star material to me. Perfect? nope. But neither are any of the classics or the uber-prolific or the mega-selling authors. I&#39;m sure I&#39;ll earn a few haters here, but I have never gotten past chapter one of the first Harry Potter. Didn&#39;t like the writing, could barely stay awake. And my children asked if we could read something else. So, not five stars in my reviewers book. There - my 2 minutes. I mean 2 cents.Julie Fraynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13779352030642585498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5835041315570334227.post-10135527723211638562014-10-09T15:25:10.294-07:002014-10-09T15:25:10.294-07:00Much obliged. Much obliged. JD Maderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058074115809620653noreply@blogger.com